Friendship United Methodist Church
Home Introduction Church History
1824:
"Written on the deed we find the names of the following Boards of Trustees: One elected July 29th, 1824—John Veal, William Ackley, Aquilla Downs, Nathan Girard and Henry Veal."

Concerning the Down(s) family of Downstown near Landisville.
Family line: 
Robert Downs (1695) m. Jemima Sharp (1699-1756). 
   Children: Jemina, Robert, Jr., Ann, William, Hannah.

Ann (1735) m. (1754) John Eastlack (1733). 
Ch.: Ann, Isabelle, Mary, Joseph, Hannah, William.

William (1745-1801) m1 Mary Woodeth; m2 Sarah Woodward. 
Ch.: William, Jr., Aquilla, John, Samuel, Sarah, Priscilla, Mary.

Aquilla Downs (1766-1852 Fdsp.) m. (1793) Mary Woolford (1773-1845 Fdsp.) (14 ch.).
Children:

  • Nancy Ann (1793-1877) m. Samuel Woolford. 
  • John Walker D. (1795-1872 Fdsp.) m. (1822) Hannah Coombs (1804-1854 Fdsp.) Children:Ira, Mary Jane, John W., Jr.
  • Charles (1796-1866 Fdsp.) m. (1818) Patience Chew (1798-1889)
  • Rev. James (1797-1850 Fdsp.) m1 (1818) Beulah Chew (1799-1840 Fdsp.) 7 children: 

    • Elizabeth C. m1 Benjamin J. Crane; m2 (1872) John P. Crane. 
    2 children b/d.
    m2 (1841) Jane Ann Smallwood Turner (1806-1860). 
    Children: Adeline Prosser D. (1842), May Hannah (1844).
  • Anna (1798-1832 Fdsp.) m. (1818) John Adams (1795-1838 Fdsp). Child: John Q. Adams (1832-1863 Fdsp.)
  • Elizabeth (1800-1830 Fdsp.) m. Ephraim Stiles (1796-1860 Fdsp.) 
  • Rebecca (1803-1886 Lake) m. John Saul (1798-1875)
  • George (1804-1887 Fdsp.) m. (1827) Rebecca Down
  • Rev. Jesse (1806-1880 Fdsp.) m1 (1827) Priscilla Berry 

    • (1803-1831 Fdsp.) (2 children); m2 Catherine Kandle 
    (1811-1883 Fdsp.) (2 + 4 children).
    #5 Lorenzo A. Down (1839-1900) m. (1861) Uphan H. Henry (1841) (2 children)
    Lorenzo, Local Preacher 1872 Friendship-Landisville; 1874 Newfield; 1876 Mays Landing; 1889 Atlantic City till death 1900.
  • Sarah (1808-1888) m. (1832) Elisha Berry (1800-1873 Fdsp.)
  • Rev. Osborn (1810-1878 Aura) m. (1841) Rebecca Ann Langley (1822-1896 Aura) (3 children).
  • Mary (1814-1881 Bkwd.) m. (1832) Edward Turner (1810-1880 Bkwd.) (2 children).
  • Kesiah (1825-1878 Olivet) m. Henry Kandle
  • Mary Ann (1817-1879 Mlvl.) m1 Adams; m2 Messec .

    • Aquilla’s brother, John (1767-1846 Bethel) m. Amy Turner (of Joseph and Charity Duffield)
    Children:

  • Charity Turner Down (1816-1846) m. (1834) Thomas Jackson Heritage (1813-1883) (of Rev. Josiah and Mary).
  • Rev. John Wesley Downs (1824-1885) m. (1849) Mary Leonard (1827-1889) John trustee at Bethel 30 years. 

    • John served at Bethel/Hurffville from first record 1863, till his death 1885. 
    Samuel (1769-1826 Fdsp.) m. Rebecca Clark (1770-1856 Fdsp.) (6 children).
    Priscilla m. John Hurff. Child: William.

    Aquilla did not serve on the Gloucester Circuit 1819-1837. Have no later record till 1863—10 years after his death. They may have supported a church/school at Downstown. Also Rev. James died 1850.

    In 1863, first Local Preacher listing: Osborn Downs and Samuel Woolford, brothers-in-law, served the Willow Grove Circuit. Richard Langley, another brother-in-law, served from Millville (Salem or Cumberland Circuit). Nephew John Wesley Downs served Bethel Church.